Supporting Families and Early Childhood in Illinois with Birth to Five

March 23, 2026

Original coverage in The Local Lens: Lawrenceville Unfiltered: Episode 17.

In this episode, Louie and Dwayne sit down with Ann Oswalt and Donna Rardin from Birth to Five Illinois to discuss the organization’s role in supporting families and early childhood development across the state.

Ann serves as the Regional Council Manager for Region 12 and brings more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education, including roles in Head Start, home visiting programs, and preschool leadership. Donna is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 12, with more than 20 years of experience working with children and families through education, library programs, and community organizations.

The conversation focuses on how Birth to Five Illinois works to connect families, providers, and communities with early childhood resources, while gathering input to help inform policy and funding priorities across the state. They also discuss the importance of family engagement, access to early childhood services, and the role of community-driven input in shaping programs that meet local needs.

Region 12 includes the following counties: Clay, Crawford, Jasper, Lawrence, and Richland.

Throughout the episode, Ann and Donna share insights into their work, their experiences serving families, and how individuals can get involved or learn more about available resources in their communities.

This episode provides an informational look at early childhood services, community engagement, and the efforts being made to support families across Illinois.

This episode is intended for informational purposes and reflects the perspectives of the participants.

Birth to Five Illinois website: www.birthtofiveil.com

Birth to Five Illinois Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BirthToFiveIL